Family Resources

Guide By Your Side

Guide By Your Side (GBYS) was created by Hands & Voices TM. Their parent guides are all parents of a child with hearing loss. The trained guides provide unbiased information about communication options, help families navigate through the system, link families with local and national parent-to-parent resources and assist families with advocating for their child in health care and school settings. Most importantly, GBYS encourages families, offering hope and the tools to fulfill the dreams they have for their children.

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Hands and Voices

Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families by providing non-biased information about communication options and access to services and education. They strive to empower deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind children in Washington to reach all of their future goals.
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Early Intervention Programs in Washington

Helen Keller National Center, Region 10
Founded in 1893, Helen Keller Services (HKS) is a U.S. nonprofit organization that helps people who are blind, DeafBlind, have low vision, or have combined hearing and vision loss build independence, access education, and find employment.

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the Washington state agency responsible for overseeing the state’s public K–12 education system. It is led by the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction and works with Washington’s public school districts to ensure students receive a high-quality education.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation believes that all people can do meaningful work. People with disabilities can work with DVR to get a job and learn about job options. DVR offers tools, services, and support. Jobs can lead to more independence and connect people to their communities. Success in a job can also improve quality of life. DVR has offices all over Washington state and has been a community partner for more than 80 years.

Washington Sensory Disabilities Service (WSDS)
WSDS partners with schools, families and agencies to support children and youth who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low vision, or deafblind, by providing assessment services, training and consultation.

Washington Sensory Disabilities Services (WSDS) DeafBlind Program
Washington Sensory Disabilities Services (WSDS) DeafBlind Program provides statewide support for children and youth who are DeafBlind, from birth through age 22, along with their families and educational teams. The program offers consultation, training, technical assistance, and resources to help ensure students who are DeafBlind have meaningful access to learning, communication, and educational opportunities.

Washington State Department of Children, Youth, & Families (DCYF) – Early Support for Infants & Toddlers (ESIT)
The Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program gives early help to children from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities, as well as their families.

Washington State Deaf-Blind Citizens, Inc. (WSDBC)
Washington State DeafBlind Citizens is a nonprofit organization that promotes the independence, inclusion, and well-being of people who are DeafBlind throughout Washington State. The organization provides opportunities for advocacy, education, peer support, and community connection while working to increase public awareness of DeafBlindness. Through events, resources, and collaboration with individuals, families, service providers, and community partners, Washington State DeafBlind Citizens empowers people who are DeafBlind to build relationships, access information, and participate fully in their communities.

WA State Hands and Voices
Washington State Hands & Voices is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind. The organization provides unbiased information, parent-to-parent support, resources, and advocacy to help families make informed decisions and ensure their children have opportunities to thrive at home, in school, and in their communities.

National Hands & Voices
Hands & Voices is a parent-driven nonprofit organization that supports families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The organization provides unbiased information, resources, advocacy, and peer-to-peer support to help families make informed decisions about communication, education, and services for their children. Through collaboration with families, professionals, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, Hands & Voices works to ensure children have the opportunity to reach their full potential

Hearing, Speech, & Deaf Center (HSDC)
HSDC is a nonprofit organization serving the Puget Sound area. We foster accessible communities through communication, advocacy and education. We offer services for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or have speech/language differences as well as their families and friends. We also offer trainings for organizations that wish to better serve Deaf and hard of hearing community members.

WA State School for the Blind (WSSB)
Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) provides specialized educational services, resources, and support for students who are blind or low vision throughout Washington State. WSSB offers comprehensive educational programs, outreach services, assistive technology support, braille resources, and training for students, families, and educators. Through collaboration with schools and communities, WSSB helps ensure that blind and low vision students have access to the skills, tools, and opportunities needed to succeed.

Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH)
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) provides statewide services, resources, and advocacy to support Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled individuals, their families, and service providers. ODHH promotes communication access and equity through information and referrals, technology resources, training, consultations, community outreach, and advocacy to help ensure Washington State services and programs are accessible and inclusive.

Purple VRS:  https://purplevrs.com/

Convo VRS: https://convorelay.com/

Sorenson VRS: https://sorenson.com/

Deaf Pathways: Guiding Questions and Resources
This resource from the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth  provides guiding questions and resources to help student reach their full potential as they work towards their post high school and transition goals.

Telecommunication Equipment Distribution
The Telecommunication Equipment Distribution (TED) program distributes specialized telecommunication equipment that enables Washington residents to have independent use of the telephone.

Dana Miles, the 2023 Washington State Teacher of the Year, has produced a multimedia project in partnership with OSPI. This five-part series is comprised of video interviews that Dana conducts with experts on Deaf education, as well as articles she wrote to accompany each video.

Least Restrictive Environment in Deaf Education: A Critical Examination (PDF)
The principle of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) aims to ensure that students with disabilities, including Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in a setting that maximizes their learning potential while being as inclusive as possible. However, applying the traditional understanding of LRE, often equated with mainstreaming in general education classrooms, can be detrimental to the linguistic, cognitive, academic, social, and emotional development of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. This white paper argues that the optimal LRE for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students necessitates prioritizing environments that foster direct communication in their preferred language (often sign language), interaction with Deaf peers, and access to specialized instruction and support.

Why the Science of Reading Policy May Not Work for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (PDF)
This position paper argues that the current SoR laws are unsuitable for DHH students and advocates the need for tailored approaches using the evidence that exists for language and literacy development of DHH students to meet the unique strengths, challenges, and needs of this population.

Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS)
Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services empowers Deaf and DeafBlind survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment to transform their lives, while striving to change the beliefs and behaviors that foster and perpetuate violence. They provide comprehensive services to individuals and families, community education, and advocacy on systems and policy issues.

Puget Sound Association of the Deaf (PSAD)
PSAD is a community hub providing resources and opportunities to foster cultural pride, community wealth, and leadership within the Deaf community in the Salish Sea and surrounding regions.

WA State Association of the Deaf (WSAD)
Washington State Association of the Deaf (WSAD) is a nonprofit advocacy organization that works to protect the rights, promote the interests, and advance the well-being of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals throughout Washington State. Through advocacy, education, leadership, and community engagement, WSAD promotes equal access, language equity, and full participation in all aspects of society.

WA State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (WSRID)
Washington State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (WSRID) is a nonprofit professional organization that supports and advances the sign language interpreting profession in Washington State. WSRID provides professional development, promotes interpreter certification and ethical practice, advocates for quality interpreting services, and serves as a resource for interpreters, Deaf communities, and the public.

National Deaf Center (NDC)
National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) is a national resource center that works to improve education, training, and employment outcomes for Deaf individuals after high school. Through research, technical assistance, professional development, and free resources, NDC helps students, families, educators, colleges, and employers create more accessible and inclusive pathways to postsecondary education and careers.

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation’s oldest civil rights organization for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. NAD advocates for equal access, legal rights, language equity, education, employment, healthcare, and communication access while promoting the full inclusion and participation of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in all areas of society.

Clerc Center Resources for Families (PDF)

National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
NTID at RIT is a leading educational institution dedicated to providing Deaf and Hard of Hearing students with accessible, career-focused education and support. NTID offers academic programs, communication access services, research, and resources that empower students to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through its inclusive campus community, NTID prepares students for successful careers while advancing opportunities and access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.

Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University is a bilingual, diverse institution of higher education dedicated to the advancement of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals through American Sign Language (ASL) and English. As a global leader in Deaf education, research, and innovation, Gallaudet provides undergraduate and graduate programs, professional training, and resources that support the academic, cultural, and professional success of Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. The university also serves as a center for advocacy, scholarship, and leadership that advances accessibility and inclusion worldwide.

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